Lord Jeffs Draw Even 1-1 With Johns Hopkins to Open Season

EWING, NJ - The seventh-ranked Amherst College women’s soccer team drew even with 22nd-ranked Johns Hopkins University this afternoon on the campus of The College of New Jersey. Two overtimes wasn’t enough to determine a winner between the two nationally-ranked squads, both of whom will play tomorrow to close the TCNJ Tournament.

The Jeffs got on the board first as junior Stephanie Yesnik (Arlington, VA) took a nice feed from Natalie Ferraiolo (Palo Alto, CA) and then pushed a shot past Blue Jay keeper Karen Guszkowski. The opening goal for Amherst came just 18:43 into the first half.

Amherst was able to close out the first half with a scoreless spot on the scoreboard for the Blue Jays. Amherst’s defense is bolstered this season by a slew of veteran leaders including senior tri-captain Katie Coffey (Northampton, MA) and Alanna Darling (Charlton, MA).Johns Hopkins was able to penetrate the tough Jeff defense, and at just 6:43 into the second half, Kim Lane set up Natalie Held to score.

The Blue Jays carried the play in the late stages of regulation when Kate Dunn had a great chance to win the game with a lacing shot from the top of the penalty area. The shot beat Amherst keeper Lili Ferguson (Winnetka, IL), but not the frame as the ball rocketed off of the cross bar.

Dunn also had a chance in each overtime, forcing Ferguson to make a nice save on the first chance off a direct kick, before the second chance rolled wide.

Amherst’s best opportunity in the overtimes came on a direct kick by Meg Murphy (Springfield, MA) that was hauled in by Guszkowski.Ferguson finished with 10 saves for the Jeffs, while Guszkowski collected three for the Blue Jays.

Amherst will have no time to rest as the Jeffs face another tough challenge tomorrow afternoon in host TCNJ. The game is a rematch from last season’s NCAA Elite Eight penalty kick shootout which sent the Lions to the Final Four. Kickoff for tomorrow’s match is slated for 11:00 a.m.